Anchored, Mort Crim
Anchored, Mort Crim
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
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Anchored
A Journalist’s Search for Truth

Author: Mort Crim

Narrator: Mort Crim

Unabridged: 9 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/11/2021

Synopsis

Mort Crim has reported on major conflicts around the world for more than four decades and was a major inspiration for Will Ferrell’s performance in the movie Anchorman. Crim’s memoir takes listeners behind the camera to show what life was like when the local anchorman was as revered as the professional athlete, and just as overpaid. It was a glamorous life, working alongside some of journalism’s legends: Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley, Dan Rather, and Ted Koppel.The son of an evangelical minister in a conservative church, Crim suffered his first crisis of faith at the age of fifteen. Despite nagging questions, Crim eventually followed his father’s path into ministry. But the more he delved into the Bible, the more his faith was shaken. Unable to defend from the pulpit things he wasn’t sure of, Crim left the ministry for a career in journalism, determined to pursue truth.After a four-year stint in the Air Force, he earned his master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and by the age of thirty, had made it to New York—the epicenter of his profession. As a national correspondent for ABC, Crim anchored the network’s top-rated morning radio show and covered America’s newly developing manned space program. When Neil Armstrong took that first step on the moon, it was Crim’s voice that described the historic event for millions around the world.At the urging of Walter Cronkite, Crim moved from network radio into the heady world of television news. At KYW in Philadelphia, Mort Crim was paired with the late Jessica Savitch, and their anchor team spawned the idea for Will Ferrell’s Anchorman movies. Crim’s journey for truth will resonate with anyone raised in a cocoon of certainty that they felt compelled to question.

About Mort Crim

Mort Crim is a broadcast journalist and author who worked for more than forty years in both local and national radio and television news. He’s covered space flights, presidential summits, a Mideast war, and for five years was Paul Harvey’s regular vacation back-up. He was a correspondent with ABC, based in New York, a news anchor at WHAS-TV in Louisville, KWY-TV in Philadelphia, WBBM-TV, Chicago, and for twenty years was senior anchor at WDIV-TV, Detroit, where he also was a national correspondent for the parent company, Post-Newsweek Stations. His nationally syndicated radio series, Second Thoughts, was on the air for fifteen years, and at its peak was carried by more than 1,300 U.S. and Canadian radio stations, and overseas on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Among his more illustrious credits are the two Anchorman movie satires for which Will Ferrell credits Mort and coanchor Jessica Savitch with providing the “inspiration.” Mort holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, five honorary doctorates, and scores of news awards, including six Emmys. He was among the first honorees inducted into Northwestern University’s Hall of Achievement and is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He has been inducted into Broadcast Halls of Fame in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois—his home state.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mark

Mort Crim has always been a talented communicator and this recounting did not disappoint. Anchored is a great read...a highlight real of seven decades of people and events experienced by a journalist at the top of his field. But note, the book is about Crim’s experiences, not a history lesson. It is......more

Goodreads review by John

In a delightful memoir, Mort Crim tells of his early life in a very religious family, his early career as a minister, his many crises of faith, his relationship with Jessica Savitch, the death of his beloved first wife, Nicki, his remarriage, and his many stops in his journalism career in both radio......more

Goodreads review by Joanelle

Great book. Wise, in-depth, and thoughtful. Historical review of when broadcast journalism had high ethics and was in search of truth - not imagery - and by journalism trained in high ethics and journalism. A great read for those looking to balance a career and inner passion for religion, too - it's......more

Goodreads review by Mary

I enjoyed Mort's book for so many reasons. I think Mort being the inspiration behind the movie Anchorman is just the tip of the iceberg. I loved the reminiscing in his early years as an evangelist and the search for truth and faith. I also enjoyed all the work as a journalist. I come from a marketin......more

Quotes

“For those who enjoyed the satire of Anchorman and the reality TV of The Apprentice, Crim’s new book gives us the real-life drama off camera.” Chris Matthews, NBC News

“Mort’s memoir fascinates, mesmerizes, and, most importantly, inspires us to learn and search ourselves for our personal truths.” David Hartman, former host of Good Morning America

“Mort Crim’s memoir is far more than a look back at his legendary career…it is also an antidote for the current attacks on the media…It will leave us with a dose of optimism that the power of fact-based reporting will triumph over the centrifugal impacts of the social media.” Carl Levin, former US senator, Michigan

“While [Crim] has spent a professional lifetime focusing on the most interesting people in a fascinating world, he’s done an extraordinary job of concealing one of the most interesting stories of all—his own. Until now. Read on!” Ted Koppel, former anchor of Nightline

“In an era where speculation passes for news, thank you for always telling the truth. You left your mark not only in front of the camera, but throughout the community with your tireless efforts to make where we live a better place to be. Thanks for everything, Mort. You were Detroit’s answer to Walter Cronkite.” Jeff Daniels, actor

“Mort Crim is one of the pioneers and legends of local broadcasting. His style, wit, tenaciousness, and…I’m sorry. I have no idea who Mort Crim is. Umm, but I’m sure he’s written a hell of a book that will hopefully go on to sell over 10,000 copies. Is that a lot?” Will Ferrell, actor

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